Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic
SOC Code: 51-4031
Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic carries a 33% AI exposure score (Medium automation risk), with a median annual wage of $45,590 and -12.1% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 174,700 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
At 33% AI exposure, Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic sits 4 points below the 37.2% average across 832 U.S. occupations - more exposed than 41% of them. Most of its core tasks still require human judgment.
Where Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic sits among all occupations
AI-exposure score distribution across 832 U.S. occupations (O*NET task analysis). This occupation is marked in rose.
Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic has ai exposure of 33%. Distribution: 1 occupations at 0-10%; 43 occupations at 10-20%; 184 occupations at 20-30%; 332 occupations at 30-40%; 158 occupations at 40-50%; 64 occupations at 50-60%; 29 occupations at 60-70%; 15 occupations at 70-80%; 5 occupations at 80-90%; 1 occupations at 90-100%.
Source: O*NET task data (U.S. Department of Labor); AI-exposure scores are PlainWorkforce's analysis. As of BLS 2024–2034.
Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic vs. its occupational neighbors
AI exposure (horizontal) vs projected 2024–2034 growth (vertical) for occupations in the same SOC group. Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic is marked in rose; the top-left corner is the most future-proof.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 (growth) and O*NET (AI-exposure analysis by PlainWorkforce).
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic (SOC 51-4031) carries an AI exposure score of 33%, placing it in the Medium automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score below 40% reflects tasks anchored in physical dexterity, unstructured environments, or high-touch human interaction that current AI cannot reliably replicate.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 174,700 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a -12.1% change through 2034 - a decline that often compounds with high AI exposure to create displacement headwinds. Median annual compensation stands at $45,590, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires High school diploma or equivalent, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Measure completed workpieces to verify conformance to specifications, using micrometers, gauges, calipers, templates, or rulers.
- 2. Examine completed workpieces for defects, such as chipped edges or marred surfaces and sort defective pieces according to types of flaws.
- 3. Lubricate workpieces with oil.
- 4. Read work orders or production schedules to determine specifications, such as materials to be used, locations of cutting lines, or dimensions and tolerances.
- 5. Install, align, and lock specified punches, dies, cutting blades, or other fixtures in rams or beds of machines, using gauges, templates, feelers, shims, and hand tools.
- 6. Start machines, monitor their operations, and record operational data.
- 7. Set up, operate, or tend machines to saw, cut, shear, slit, punch, crimp, notch, bend, or straighten metal or plastic material.
- 8. Adjust ram strokes of presses to specified lengths, using hand tools.
- 9. Position, align, and secure workpieces against fixtures or stops on machine beds or on dies.
- 10. Test and adjust machine speeds or actions, according to product specifications, using gauges and hand tools.
Key Skills Required
- Operations Monitoring
- Operation and Control
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Troubleshooting
- Quality Control Analysis
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Reading Comprehension
Knowledge Areas
- Production and Processing
- Mechanical
- English Language
- Mathematics
- Engineering and Technology
- Education and Training
- Design
- Computers and Electronics
- Transportation
- Chemistry
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic?
Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic has an AI exposure score of 33%, indicating a medium level of automation risk. The majority of tasks in this role require human judgment, creativity, or physical presence that AI cannot easily replicate.
What is the job outlook for Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic is projected to decline by 12.1% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 174,700 workers.
What skills are needed for Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic?
Key skills for Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic include Operations Monitoring, Operation and Control, Active Listening, and others. Typical entry-level education is High school diploma or equivalent.
How much do Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic earn?
The median annual wage for Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic is $45,590, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic?
The typical entry-level education for Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic is High school diploma or equivalent. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves Moderate-term on-the-job training. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic?
Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
Medium automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. Most tasks require human judgment and are resistant to automation.
Related Occupations
Career Guides
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).